Develop Cat Hai to become the first island district in Vietnam
Hai Phong city planning for the period 2021 – 2030, with a vision to 2050, will adjust many administrative boundaries such as: expanding Hong Bang District, establishing An Duong District and Thuy Nguyen City.
Notably, in the roadmap to 2030, Hai Phong will add 2 more districts: Kien Thuy and An Duong, the whole city will have 9 districts. After 2030, Cat Hai district will also become a district, becoming the first island district in the country.
Cat Hai is an island district of Hai Phong city, located in the Northeast of the city of red poinciana flowers, to the North borders Yen Hung district (Quang Ninh), to the West borders Dinh Vu island, to the East and South is the Gulf of Tonkin. . The total area of the island district is 345 Km 2 (including mangrove forests).
This place includes 366 large and small islands located in the archipelago system south of Ha Long Bay, of which Cat Hai island and Cat Ba island are the largest, divided into 2 towns and 10 communes; population of 30,000 people.
This island district is a district with an important strategic position in the city in the Northeast region of the country; has many potentials and strengths in developing tourism and marine economy. Cat Hai is growing strongly, becoming an ideal destination for investors as well as domestic and foreign tourists.
Hai Phong City determines that this island will be one of the three poles of growth and development in the future, therefore, the district always receives special attention from the Central Government, the city, and the coordination of departments, branches and localities. in mobilizing all resources to attract investment.
Cat Hai district is currently focusing on socio-economic development in the direction of maximizing the ecological potential of forests – seas – islands, gradually forming the main economic sectors: Seaport – Logistic, Industry – High Technology and Tourism – Services.
In particular, Tourism – Services is identified as a key economic sector, playing an important role in contributing to local socio-economic development. According to statistics, from the beginning of 2024 until now, the number of tourists to Cat Hai island district is estimated to reach 1,627,970 visitors, revenue from accommodation and food services is estimated to reach 1,499.7 billion VND.
Cat Hai owns the longest unique sea-crossing bridge in Vietnam
Tan Vu – Lach Huyen sea crossing bridge, also known as Tan Vu – Lach Huyen motorway (Hai Phong city), is a sea crossing bridge connecting the mainland with Cat Hai island district, opened to traffic on September 4, 2017.
The project has a total investment of nearly 11,850 billion VND from Japanese ODA loans and counterpart capital from the Vietnamese Government. With a total length of 15.63 km, of which the sea crossing is 5.44 km long, Tan Vu – Lach Huyen bridge has become the longest sea crossing bridge in Vietnam and one of the leading long sea crossing bridges in Southeast Asia. .
Tan Vu – Lach Huyen Bridge is in operation, traveling by car between the mainland from Hai Phong city center to Cat Hai island only takes about 5 minutes instead of hours when traveling by ferry, reducing accidents, risks, avoid traffic congestion; Promote tourism activities on Cat Ba island and surrounding areas.
The bridge connects directly to Hanoi – Hai Phong highway, National Highway 5, National Highway 18, Hanoi – Hai Phong railway, Noi Bai – Ha Long highway and Cat Bi international airport. From there, the bridge contributes to creating a complete traffic network, serving the transport of goods to the port of the Hanoi – Hai Phong – Quang Ninh economic triangle area.
For Hai Phong city, this bridge plays a role in connecting and developing the city’s coastal economy, contributing to increasing the attractiveness of investors for projects included in the regional development program. Dinh Vu – Cat Hai economy. Notably, key projects are being implemented in Cat Hai district such as Hai Phong international gateway port, projects of Vingroup and Sungroup.
World natural heritage in Cat Hai
The center of Cat Hai island district is Cat Ba island, which was recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage on September 16, 2023 along with the Ha Long Bay complex.
Cat Ba Island has an area of 153 km², is the third largest island in Vietnam after Phu Quoc and Cai Bau, and has the highest mountain peak of up to 331m. This is a terrain area with a unique landscape similar to Ha Lon Bay, the islands are single or clustered kart towers or towers, steep cliffs floating on the clear blue sea.
Cat Ba archipelago has tropical rainforest on limestone islands, mangrove forests, coral reefs, seaweed beds, cave systems, lakes, and is a place full of diverse conservation values. biology, ensuring the requirements of the world biosphere reserve according to UNESCO regulations. On December 2, 2004, this place was officially recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve.
One of the famous landmarks that attracts foreign and domestic tourists to Cat Ba island is Lan Ha Bay. This is one of the most beautiful bays in the world, located in the east of Cat Ba Island and is an adjacent bridge between Cat Ba Island and Ha Long Bay.
Lan Ha Bay is considered a magnificent destination but also has a poetic beauty that is hard to match anywhere else. Possessing a rich natural landscape and wild scenery, coming here visitors will have the opportunity to discover a beautiful “hidden pearl”, a peaceful space that creates the perfect vacation.
